The Skirt

I will be the first to say that I am not materialistic. My friends label me as a goody-goody; my parents say I am conservative and modest when it comes to clothes. I don’t wear bikinis, and none of my skirts or shorts end above my knees. That is my choice.

So why, why did I feel so tempted? My family and I were in Target, and there it was, waiting. A skirt, specifically designed not to cover anything. It was tan and looked like something one of those anime schoolgirls would wear.

I checked my purse. The skirt cost $10. I had the money. I could buy it. I imagined walking into school and my pals’ jaws dropping. Guys would ask me out, and I would be happy. I could buy it – no, I should buy it.

I showed my mother. She was surprised but said it was my decision. My sister looked on enviously.

I went into the dressing room to try it on. So sure was I that this skirt would change me, somehow make me not what I am but what I wished to be. I slid my jeans off and put it on. Now for the decisive moment. I looked in the mirror. There I was – a geeky girl in a Superman T-shirt and sneakers. My glasses fogged up as I started to cry.

The skirt did not change me. Though it fit well and might make me look good in the eyes of ­today’s world, it was not me. I am not a girl who flirts or wears cool clothes to fit in.

I took the thing off and slid back into the ­comfort of modesty. My mom knocked on the door. “Emily, are you okay?”

I wiped away my tears. “I’m fine.” I looked in the ­mirror again and saw a blond skinny girl with dorky ­glasses and a ponytail. I saw myself.

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That was absolutely beautiful. I am also a very modest dresserand I understand the temptation to break the barrier of modesty. You have inner beauty and I'm sure all those un-modestly dressing girls are jealous! <3

Um i think a man liking you for your looks is not a good thing because the person dosent love you he just loves the temptation of your body. The whole point is that you want someone to love you for who you are not for something you only see in movies. But if you have patients then soon you will find what you are looking for. Goodluck:)

I spent most of my life feeling the same way as you, but more like my every choice was split bettween right and wrong and sometimes i wanted both. you may not know it now, but sooner or later you'll find that nothing matters more than you liking what you say you like. as long as it is for you and you alone. there is something very powerful about doing things for yourself. if you like the skirt, wear the skirt with confidence and when you look in the mirror, see your face because it's beautifu... (more »)

I think alot of us have all beeb through the sam situation at some point in our lives...and it helps us to see that you don't have to be one of those girls with the bleach blonde hair and thick makeup with super short skirts and very revealing tops. You can be modest and be one of the most confident people in that high school. or anywhere else.

I remember when I first read this in the print magazine a few years ago--to be honest, it didn't make much of an impression on me. Rereading it now means a lot more to me because I now realize that I've been in the exact same situation. I dress myself up on days when I want to hide behind an image, and more often than not, I am struck by a desire to buy something to make myself seem more confident to the world.